ZonMW Building, Den Haag Friday, November 26, 2004

Science Workshop

Neuroinformatics:Challenges for the Netherlands

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Scientific presentations

Posters

Summary and Impressions

Workshop

Program

Objectives Building on a Neuroinformatics Program in The Netherlands

• Present Neuroinformatics activities in NL

• Challenges for future Neuroinformatics research

• Community building (neuro/computer/physical sciences)

• Education and training

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

• OECD Global Science Forum

Neuroinformatics Working Group

• International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility

• Neuroinformatics in the Netherlands

Outline introduction

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

OECD-Global Science Forum Working Group Neuroinformatics

(1996-2003)

Arrange fundamentals for the establishment and promotion of Neuroinformatics

The Neurosciences have developed up to a state where the

lack of techniques to manage and exchange data, and the lack

of tools to handle and model the complexity and organization of

the brain slows down further scientific progress

Concern

Tools to manage, analyse and share large amounts of data and information

Tools for handle complexity, organization and dynamics of the brain (theories, computational models)

Tools for scaling up collaborative investigations

Needed

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Members

OECD Global Science ForumNeuroinformatics Working Group

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Recommendations

Management, sharing and integration of neuroscience data

Development of tools for data analysis, visualization,

simulation and distribution

Computational and theoretical models of the nervous system

Establish a global neuroinformatics capability

Establish the required global coordination

Resources (data, knowledge, people)

Guidelines (data integration, interoperability)

Sustainability

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Global Neuroinformatics Program

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Program inInternational

Neuroinformatics

National Research

Bodies

Secr. host

National Neuroinformatics Nodes

International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility(INCF)

Professional organisations,

Scientists, Scientific Journals

International Neuroinformatics Coordinating FacilityWork Program

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

• Development of databases (covering basic and clinical neuroscience from gene to behavior)

• Infrastructure (e.g., portals, communication channels, database federations, grid middleware)

• Tools (e.g., simulation environments for computational neuroscience, computational devices,

data analysis, data mining, data warehousing, middleware)

• Construction and dissemination of nervous system models and simulation of neural processes

• Other activities (e.g., development of guidelines, standards, ontologies, dissemination of knowledge,

outreach to other communities)

• Facilitation of the development of the capacity for neuroinformatics research

(e.g., encouraging development of interdisciplinary training programs)

• Coordinate research in neuroinformatics (development of consensus on strategies and priorities,

facilitating joint funding agreements to carry out specific projects or meet specific goals)

• Implementation of the Program in Neuroinformatics (PIN)

( mechanism of support of development of Neuroinformatics)

• Develop the capabilities for both transfer of Knowledge and Technology

National Nodes in Neuroinformaticsnational coordination and interfacing with INCF

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

• Active participation in formulation and implementation of the INCF Work Programs

• Coordination and facilitation of neuroinformatics research at national level

• Promotion of the sharing of neuroinformatics data under common standards,

consistent with INCF

• Promotion of neuroinformatics in support of INCF

• Development of a description of an accepted standard of metadata of the contents

and quality of data bases, analytical tools and computational models

• Advice on policy of Intellectual Property Rights and protection of experimental subjects

• Coordination of the management by data bases administrators

Recent developments at OECD

29-30 January 2004:

Meeting of the OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy at

Ministerial Level in Paris:

Full support to promote scientific co-operation in the field of Neuroinformatics

Support statement by our OCW minister Maria van der Hoeven

15-16 July 2004:

11th OECD Global Science Forum Meeting in Paris:

Acceptation of the documents outlining the business plan, INCF, PIN

INCF starts when at least 5 countries have signed the agreement (Understanding)

and sufficient resources are made available

September 2004:

Countries and participants start signing the Understanding

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Participants in INCFNovember 2004

Australia decided to sign

Belgium

Canada

China almost ready to sign

Czech Republic decided to sign

Denmark

European Commission

Finland decided to sign

France

Germany decision early 2005

India

Italy

Japan

Korea

Netherlands

Norway decided to sign

Sweden

Switzerland decided to sign

UK

USA decided to sign

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Membership in consideration in all other countries

Neuroinformatics in the Netherlands

Science Workshop Neuroinformatics: Challenges for The Netherlands, ZonMW Building, Den Haag, November 26, 2004

Towards a National Node

Objectives –Statements - Roadmap

I Policy Workshop, January 30, 2004, Den Haag

II Satellite Workshop at 3rd ENP Meeting, June 4, 2004, Doorwerth

III Science Workshop, November 26, 2004, Den Haag

IV Satellite Workshop at 4th ENP Meeting, May/June, 2005, Doorwerth

Scientific meetings

Community building Website (www.neuroinformatics.nl); Research groups, people and organizations

from Neuro / Computer / Physical sciences

Activities, links, documentation, etc

Building a network of national neuroinformatics resources Infrastructure

Education and Training Integration of existing courses in neuro / computer / physical sciences

New (batcheler / master/PhD) curriculi, training opportunities

Research Program Identifying and integrating the strength of Dutch research

Resources Support from national science agencies

Linkage with INCF Adherence to the INCF program - Representation of national node in INCF